Short report: assessment of coping strategies in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and multiple sclerosis (MS) are disabling neurological diseases with significant emotional distresses. To better deal with these diseases, patients need to adopt coping strategies. Identifying coping strategies is important in our understanding of the disease burden and management. However, no one to the best of our knowledge has studied coping strategies in NMOSD patients worldwide. We performed this study to evaluate coping strategies in NMOSD and MS patients compared to healthy controls. We assessed coping strategies using Coping Orientation for Problem Experiences (COPE) inventory. Demographic and clinical characteristics were gathered as well. Thirty NMOSD patients, 76 MS patients, and 50 healthy controls were recruited. NMOSD and MS patients adopted acceptance and behavioral disengagement strategies more often compared to healthy control. Furthermore, NMOSD cases were more prone to using mental disengagement strategy. Both NMOSD and MS cases were less prone to substance use. In NMOSD group, patients with basic education had higher scores of focus on and venting emotions compared to those with advance education. No relationship between coping strategies and demographic and clinical characteristics was observed. We found almost similar patterns of coping in NMOSD and MS. NMOSD patients showed utilization of maladaptive coping strategies with more frequent use of mental and behavioral disengagement. We suggest a multidisciplinary approach to manage these patients.